The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for participants for the 2011 class of the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge. This program provides a comprehensive overview of the community and introduces participants to leaders in the fields of government, education, health care and business. Charles Hardin, Executive Director of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, said, “Participants will gain a realistic understanding of how our community works. They learn from the movers and shakers – the people who have a vision for the future.” The program benefits the community as well, because the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge identifies potential leaders and gives them the encouragement needed to spur them on to local action and involvement. Over an eight week period the participants in the program will explore topics that include: Business Development and Tourism, Civic Infrastructure and Government, Education and Workforce Development, Physical Infrastructure and Environmental Issues, Cultural Infrastructure and the Arts, and Community Health Care and Social Infrastructure. The Blowing Rock program had its Charter Class in 2007 with 12 local participants. The program was originally conceived with the help of Brian Crutchfield, of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, who has helped implement leadership programs with the Boone and Ashe Chambers of Commerce. “The Blowing Rock program takes the best of what we have learned in other local leadership programs and created a schedule that is friendlier to participants with half-day sessions, “said Crutchfield. This year’s program will be run by Bill Barr of Handel Barr Learning along with alumni from the previous classes. The 2011 class is limited to 15 participants with preference given to Blowing Rock residents. Tuition is $150, which includes program materials, refreshments, and a graduation dinner and award certificate. For more information or to receive an application for enrollment, contact the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.
